New York Comic-Con Preview: What To Do On Thursday & Friday

While a far cry from the chaotic wall-to-wall obstacle course that is Comic-Con International in San Diego, Reed Exhibitions’ New York Comic Con has quickly become one of the United States’ most trafficked events for comic books, film, television, games, and all sorts of awesome things of a similar nature. The number of discussion panels, parties, contests and other events can seem overwhelming, so ComicsAlliance is here to help you navigate the coming weekend with a handy guide on the panels and events you don’t want to miss in our New York Comic Con Preview for Thursday and Friday!Thursday

ComicsPro: The Art of Customer Service

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Description:
Brett Parker, co-owner of Double Midnight Comics in Manchester, NH, presents a customer service workshop based on systems developed through years of research and application in retail. Great for new retailers looking to develop their skills or for veterans who want to add more to their employee training, this can help retailers of all levels to improve the in-store experience for their customers.

ComicsAlliance says: Customer service is one of the few things that a brick-and-mortar local comic shop can offer that online retailers like Amazon and digital vendors like comiXology can’t, and with the push to draw in new readers and counteract the negative stereotype of the dimly lit Android’s Dungeon, it’s more important now than ever before. We’ve all seen a few stores that could do with a little improvement on that front — some of us here at CA have even worked at them — and it’s always a good idea to pick up some tips on what to do. The only question is whether this one-hour workshop will have the time to cover both putting your Magic: The Gathering game on hold when there’s a line at the register and the proper volume for watching badly dubbed hentai on the store’s TV.

NYCC Kick-Off Concert with Headliner DJ Z-Trip

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Speaker: Z-Trip and Tom Morello

Description: NYCC 2011 is going to be the biggest show the East Coast has ever seen so we want to start it off right with a concert on Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 PM in the IGN Theater – Presented by Sprint. The concert is free to all VIP’s and 4-Day ticket holders BUT seating is first come, first served and will be extremely limited due to size of the auditorium and popularity of the event. Ultimate Access, Special Access and Anime Access VIP ticket holders will be guaranteed to get into the concert first; then, 4-Day ticket holders will be let in until the auditorium is full. The concert is open to all 4-Day ticket holders on a first come, first served basis and we cannot guarantee that all 4-Day ticket holders that want to attend the show will be able to get in.

ComicsAlliance says: Brilliant DJ, brilliant guitarist, brilliant comics. Great way to kick off the weekend.

Friday

“Once Upon a Time” Exclusive Screening and Panel

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Location: American Airlines Theater, 1A06

Description:
Calling all “Lost” fans – join creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (“Lost” and “Tron: Legacy”) as they introduce you to the magical story of two parallel worlds: one in a distant fairytale land, the other in a present-day reality. Following the exclusive screening of the pilot, Eddy and Adam will participate in a Q&A panel moderated by Matt Mitovich, Editor-at-Large for TVLine.com, about this modern fairytale turned on its head. Arrive early for exclusive magic mirrors!

ComicsAlliance says: This is your chance to check out one of the two Fables ripoffs without giving them any money. See how much they borrowed from Bill Willingham’s awesome Vertigo series and report back with your thoughts, or go for the more unexpected route and write a scathing blog post on how it’s just an unnecessarily grim reimagining of The Charmings. We know: We’re surprised we remember that one too.

Unusual Manga Genres

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Anime Stage

Description:
This panel is a testament to the diversity and specialization of the manga market in Japan. Thanks to the popularity of manga in the United States, many of the titles I cover are now available in English. As someone who dislikes superhero comics, I’m amazed at the scope and the breadth of manga titles available. My PowerPoint presentation is broken down into broad categories – “Regular Sports” (manga about track and field) “Unusual Sports” (Hikaru No Go, golf titles), “Quasi-Sports”(fishing manga, yo-yo manga), “Manga for Girls” (ballet manga, pet manga), “Manly Manga” (Pachinko Manga, Mah-Jong Manga), “Food Manga” (Yakitate Japan, Bambino) and the “Uncategorizeable” (manga about tasting junk food, manga about Jesus and Buddha living as roommates).

ComicsAlliance says: Far be it from us to criticize someone for making fun of unusual comics, but I’ve read through this description twice now and I’m still not sure what exactly constitutes an “unusual” manga genre. I mean, the two most popular examples of the form are the story of an alien karate master with a monkey tail who hangs out with his lizard-man buddy and does space-pushups so that he can throw his exploding soul at people while they blow up planets, and a comic about a high school girl who’s secretly a reincarnated space princess from the future who can only defeat evil psychic space vampires when her talking cat makes her wear a miniskirt. With those as your baseline, I’m not sure how “Manga For Girls” is really all that weird. I guess we’ll find out!

Locke & Key Fox Pilot Screening

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Location: MTV Theater, 1A10

Description:
The most talked-about pilot not on the Fall schedule was the Fox production of Locke & Key. After a smash-hit screening at San Diego Comic-Con that fans are still talking about, it’s coming to the east coast for a one-time only screening! Come watch the special filmed adaptation of “Welcome to Lovecraft” and see the Eisner-winning comic brought to life! Introduction by IDW CEO & Publisher, Ted Adams.

ComicsAlliance says: We’ve heard this is a great adaptation of the popular comics series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez. Unfortunately it didn’t end up going to series while lots of many very dubious things did, but this is your chance to check it out in the company of IDW publisher Ted Adams.

Batman: Arkham City

12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Speakers: Claudio Sanchez, Kevin Conroy, Sefton Hill

Description:
Get the inside scoop on Batman: Arkham City, the highly-anticipated follow-up to the hit game Batman: Arkham Asylum, the Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Critically-Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever.” Be among the first to see and hear new details about the next chapter in Batman’s gritty, immersive world – including some surprise reveals about the game and its characters – from the voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy (Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: The Animated Series); front man Claudio Sanchez of the popular progressive rock band “Coheed and Cambria,” which wrote and performed the track “Deranged” featured on Batman: Arkham City – The Album; and Rocksteady Studios Game Director Sefton Hill (Batman: Arkham Asylum), and more. And don’t leave early … there are special prizes lurking in the shadows.

ComicsAlliance says: With Nightwing as a playable character revealed early in the week, we’re genuinely curious as to whether the panel’s “surprise reveals” were leaked, or if there are even more announcements they’ve managed to keep secret until the weekend before the game comes out. Could it be that my request for KGBeast during the San Diego Comic-Con prompted a last-minute addition?!

Description:
Like their creators Will Eisner and Bob Kane, The Spirit and The Batman had an intertwined and complex relationship. DeWitt Clinton High School classmates, Will and Bob helped each other in their early comics careers. As fate would have it, each came up with an iconic non-superpowered costumed adventurer who owed a lot to the films noir of Orson Welles and other cinema pioneers. Investigating how these two masters interacted, interrelated, and worked is sure to be fascinating. Join Michael Uslan (producer of the Batman films), Paul Levitz (Legion of Super-Heroes), Dennis O’Neil (Batman writer and editor), Chris Couch (The Will Eisner Companion), and moderator Danny Fingeroth (The Stan Lee Universe) as they explore the similarities and differences between the characters and their creators.

ComicsAlliance says: The secret origin of two of comics’ most influential creators, Bob Kane and Will Eisner, who apparently went to high school together. Do you think they were in rival gangs? Get all the juicy gossip at this panel, and as a special unadvertised bonus, watch for ComicsAlliance’s own David Uzumeri in the crowd, furiously muttering under his breath about how Bill Finger never gets a damn panel.

Description:
Find out everything you need to know about the Dark Knight Detective and his cohorts in the new DC universe-from Batwoman to Batgirl to Robin, the Boy Wonder! Explore the streets of Gotham City with all-star creators such as Lee Bermejo (Batman: Noel), Chris Burnham (Batman Inc.), Tony Daniel (Detective Comics), David Finch (The Dark Knight), Greg Capullo (Batman), Kyle Higgins (Nightwing), Amy Reeder (Batwoman), Scott Snyder (Batman), and Peter J. Tomasi (Batman and Robin)!

ComicsAlliance says: When they say everything you need to know and only offer an hour, they are clearly not considering the needs of today’s modern obsessive Batmanologist. Even so, the presence of CA favorites like Chris Burnham and Scott Snyder make this a must-see for Batman fans.

Description:
Join Dark Horse Senior Managing Editor, Scott Allie, and Director of Public Relations, Jeremy Atkins, for a look at all that the publisher has on tap for the coming year. In addition to news on all of the hot new fall titles like Orchid, The Strain and House of Night, we look to 2012 for a sneak peak at what fans can expect in not only the company’s flagship anthology, but exclusive for fans of Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more! Guests include: Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Orchid), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, The Massive), Carla Speed-McNeil (Finder), and more!)

ComicsAlliance says: As the company that brought us Hellboy, Sin City and the current run of Usagi Yojimbo, Dark Horse has a lot to be proud of, and a pretty interesting story about how it used a combination of licensing and original properties to build itself into the most prominent and respected non-super-hero publisher in comics today. Really, though, this panel makes a great opportunity to see how much overlap there is between Avatar: The Last Airbenderfans and Rage Against the Machine fans. It’s the Venn diagram we’ve been waiting for.

Description:
Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation proudly present an action-packed hour of first looks with the premiere of the animated short Catwoman, an inside glimpse of Batman: Year One, and the New York Comic Con exclusive first footage of Justice League: Doom, the highly-anticipated next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Panelists include the ultimate voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, executive producer Bruce Timm, casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano. Moderator Gary Miereanu will offer a first-look glimpse into the 2012 DC Universe Animated Original Movies slate, give away some exclusive prizes to inquisitive audience members, and quite possibly introduce a few surprise guests. Warner Home Video will distribute Batman: Year One and Catwoman on Blu-Ray™ and DVD on October 18, 2011.

ComicsAlliance says: Finally, Batman gets a movie about his origin. I thought this day would never come. Really, though, as one of the top two Batman comics that most people who have any interest at all in the character has read, I’m left wondering what kind of questions the “inquisitive audience members” are going to ask. Sure, there’s the obvious one about why they chose to take out the defining moment where Batman peed in his trunks, but after that? No idea.

ComicsAlliance says: Finally, the Ultimate Universe is reborn. Those 11 years of continuity were a huge barrier for new readers.

Joe Simon: My Life in Comics

3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Location: 1A23

Speaker: Joe Simon

Description:
What was it like to be targeted by the Nazi party? What was Stan Lee like as a teenage kid? How did it feel to have your comics torn apart by a Congressional committee–on live television!? And what was the real origin of the Red Skull? These secrets and more, revealed by the man who lived them–Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America, first editor at Marvel Comics, creator of Sick magazine, and a genuine living legend. Joe turned 98 years old on October 11, and this is his only appearance at a comic book convention. So come out and wish him a happy birthday!

ComicsAlliance says: There’s no joke for this one, just a sincere appreciation. Joe Simon is one of the last of the Golden Age greats, and we can think of no better use of your time than hearing the stories of the man who co-created Captain America, helped invent romance comics, and fought for a fair shake from publishers in his 70-year career in comics.

ComicsAlliance says: Vertigo’s already announced its deal to adapt Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy beginning with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but we suspect there’s more to find out at the publisher’s discussion panel. What could be next for Jason Aaron, now that the ending to Scalped is visible in the distance? Will iZombie be recognized as the greatest mod zombie comic book of all time? Will Phil Jimenez commit to drawing Bill Willingham’s Fairest for the rest of his life? Let’s hope so.

The Venture Bros

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Speakers: Doc Hammer, Jackson Publick

Description:
Show creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, perennial Comic-Con favorites, will discuss their original series and answer questions that have been submitted by fans on AdultSwimPresents.com/NYCC.

ComicsAlliance says: We’re pretty big fans of Venture Bros. here at ComicsAlliance, but if you’ve never seen the show’s two creators in person, you may not be aware that they’re every bit as funny talking about the show as they are when they actually make it, and the idea of those dudes taking questions from the Internet sounds like the most entertaining hour of the con. Make the time to check it out — but please, no hair questions.

MARVEL Television Presents: Anime on G4

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Location: 1A22

Speaker: Jeph Loeb

Description:
The excitement continues with Marvel anime on G4! Following the successful run of Iron Man and Wolverine anime, Head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb brings brand-new Anime action to New York with a preview of X-Men (Premiering on G4 October 21) and some very exciting casting news for fan favorite, Blade.

ComicsAlliance says: There’s a slim but non-zero chance that this panel will reveal that Anime Wolverine is also a reincarnated space princess from the future. If that happens, you’ll hate yourself for missing it.

ComicsAlliance says: When attending a panel, you should never do anything rude or disruptive, but it would be pretty great if the entire Q&A section of this panel was just one person after another asking “What about _____” and filling in the blank with their favorite obscure Green Lantern. I’m seriously curious as to what Driq and Jack T. Chance are up to these days.

ComicsAlliance says: I was going to make a joke about asking Seth Green what it was like to play a corpse in Idle Hands, but… that picture Andy put in this article. It’s staring at me — no, through me — with its horrifying dead eyes. I… I gotta move on.

MARVEL: Amazing Spider-Man

6:15 pm – 7:15 pm

Location: MTV Theater, 1A10

Speakers: Axel Alonso, Dan Slott, Greg Rucka, Steve Wacker

Description:
Spider-Man’s licking his wounds after the cataclysmic conclusion of Spider-Island! But he shouldn’t get too comfortable as the Sinister Six plot their long awaited revenge! Sit down with our spectacular panel including Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man), Greg Rucka (Punisher), Senior Editor Steve Wacker, Editor in Chief Axel Alonso and more as they lay the groundwork for New York City’s greatest heroes. And don’t forget to grab your exclusive Daredevil pin – only at this panel!

ComicsAlliance says: Amazing Spider-Man has managed to be one of Marvel’s most consistently entertaining books since it was rebooted for “Brand New Day,” so getting to hear a little more from the guys behind it should be a lot of fun — especially Steven Wacker, who’s managed to edit that book at least twice a month for a few years without going completely insane.

Jay and Silent Bob Get Old

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Speakers: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith

Description:
Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes will appear together for a live performance of their popular podcast Jay & Silent Bob Get Old. Fans who are interested in attending the live performance must have a New York Comic Con ticket and also purchase an additional ticket to the podcast. All ticket prices are based on seating location, visit NewYorkComicCon.com for ticket availability.

ComicsAlliance says: If you didn’t get your question answered at the Year One panel, here’s your second chance.

NYCC Charity Auction

7:45 pm – 9:45 pm

Location: 1B03

Speaker: Steve Borock

Description:
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please join us and former CGC president Steve Borock for the 1st Annual Charity Art Auction at New York Comic Con! Come on down and bid with other art enthusiasts for the chance to own a piece of original art from some of your favorite creators including Adam Hughes, Mike Mignola, Ivan Reis, Leinil Francis Yu, David Mack, Francis Manapul, Frank Quietly, Joe Prado, Michael Golden, Greg Horn, Paolo Rivera, Scott Kolins, Whilce Portacio and Tony Moore! All proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and your participation in this event will help support lifesaving research and treatment for the children of St. Jude. HAVE FUN. GET ART. SAVE LIVES.

Description:
Join Joe Eckardt, producer/director and stars of the family superhero film PIZZA MAN, starring Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle), Stan Lee, Adam West, Shelley Long, Corbin Bernsen, Diamond Dallas Page & Rowdy Roddy Piper. PIZZA MAN is a film for all ages to enjoy. The panel will include Frankie Muniz and Diamond Dallas Page!

ComicsAlliance says: Evidence continues to stack up to confirm that this is actually real and not just a hallucination. We encourage all of our readers to attend, just so that we can know for sure. And also because we want to find out from the source whether Kevin Nash’s booking in 1998 was really as bad as we’ve heard.

Stay tuned for ComicsAlliance for more NYCC scheduling and the best coverage of the New York Comic Con!

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